DIMAPUR, APRIL 14 (MExN): The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has expressed numerous concerns regarding the status of free media in the North East. The AHRC, in a press note, stated that there are major concerns regarding the working conditions of media persons in the region and called upon the state governments to ensure a safe working atmosphere for journalists and make provisions for social benefits like health and life insurance.
The AHRC stated that there have been many cases of harassment of media persons in the form of “killings, bombings, threat to life and property, assaults and arrests.” It informed that since 1991, in Assam alone, “26 journalists had been killed by militant outfits, the timber mafia, criminal gangs, and ‘unidentified killers’.” However, no single person has been brought to book for these crimes, it stated.
It further said that, from 1993 till date, “seven journalists have been shot dead in Manipur” and that “vicious attacks and bombings have become a part of their working environment.” This, according to the AHRC, has resulted in suspension of publication, blank editorials, and demands to the government for a safe working environment. It further informed that in the case of five of the seven deceased journalists, “No action and arrests has resulted.”
The AHRC informed that from September 1997 to August 2013, 29 FIRs in connection with “harassment of journalists by underground groups” have been filed in Manipur, out of which 24 of the cases remain “unresolved.” In terms of “harassment of journalists in Manipur by State/Central forces,” 18 cases have been registered and 11 of these cases remain “unresolved,” it added.
The AHRC lamented that these statistics “paint a grim picture of the scenario in the North East,” and “illustrates the inability of law enforcement agencies to take stringent action against the culprits.” As such, it called upon the respective state governments and the Government of India to strengthen protection for journalists and to act swiftly to investigate and prosecute those responsible for killing and assaulting journalists in the region.
The AHRC further expressed concern on the salary and working conditions of media persons in the region. “In the last few years there has been a major change in the profile of media houses, with an increasing number of high profile business persons/organizations making an entry. Yet, working conditions for media personnel remain close to the same,” it stated. Referring to the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold recommendations of the Majithia Wage Board for journalists and non-journalists on their pay structure, the AHRC urged media houses to honor and implement the recommendations “as a matter of priority.”
